E3 2013: Killer Instinct is Free-to-Play, Digital-Only

June 11, 2013

Microsoft promised games for its big E3 conference, and actually delivered. The presentation was packed with games, a few of them exclusive to Xbox One.

One of the exclusives shown was a reboot of Rare’s Killer Instinct, the Mortal Kombat-like fighting game Nintendo brought to the Super Nintendo in the mid-90s. While the game only got a short trailer and awkward demonstration during Microsoft’s presentation, it was enough to excite fans who spent precious hours of their childhood memorizing Fulgore’s ultra.

Now, though, details about the new Killer Instinct are coming out, and it appears the game will not be a full-fledged title. According to an IGN report on the game, Microsoft will be launching the title as a free-to-play digital game. While Killer Instinct will be available at the launch of the Xbox One, only one character – Jago – will come with the download. All other characters will have to be paid for. The price for fighters has not yet been released.